South China Sea: recording of Philippine deal on Second Thomas Shoal simply ‘propaganda’, analysts say

The latest threat by China to release an audio recording of a top Filipino navy official agreeing to a “new model” to address a maritime territorial row between both sides is simply “propaganda” by Beijing to win global opinion, according to observers.

Analysts in the Philippines say the official targeted, Vice-Admiral Alberto Carlos, has no mandate to strike a deal with China, which they perceive to have been backed into a corner and attempting to shift blame to Manila.

The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on Tuesday reportedly released a transcript of a phone call in January in which Carlos had allegedly agreed to a Chinese diplomat’s protocols pertaining to a resupply mission for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in the Second Thomas Shoal.

The Philippines and China have been locked in a months-long war of words and coastguard skirmishes over territory in the South China Sea, with the Second Thomas Shoal, where an old warship was grounded by Filipino troops to establish their position, becoming a major flashpoint.

According to the phone transcript, shown to selected press members in Manila, Carlos confirmed when asked whether his superiors had approved the so-called new model.

The key points of the deal include a “1+1” model for both sides, meaning Manila would only deploy one Philippine Coast Guard vessel and a resupply boat to the shoal, while China would only launch one coastguard ship and a fishing boat.

The Philippines would also notify Beijing two days in advance on resupply missions – comprising only food and water – to troops stationed at the Sierra Madre wreck, amid close communications with both sides.

Manila reportedly followed the agreement in February, but the deal was ignored in the following month